Johnny Mogensen – new director of NordForsk from 2026
NordForsk is the largest research body funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers. Based in Oslo, it co-finances and facilitates Nordic co-operation in research and research infrastructure along with the national funding bodies. Its remit is to make the Nordic Region a global research leader. It has just completed the recruitment process for a new director.
Johnny Mogensen is looking forward to getting started on 1 February 2026:
I am very much looking forward to taking up the post of NordForsk director. Co-operation on research is a unique Nordic strong point, and I will strive to ensure that NordForsk continues to contribute to research that is of the highest quality and is relevant to the whole of the Nordic Region. It is also important that co-operation continues to evolve, that we make joint investments in research that make Nordic research environments stronger and give the region a strong voice at international level
Experience of national and international research, innovation and education
Mogensen has held several positions in the Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science since 2002 and has also been posted to Brussels as an adviser to Denmark’s EU delegation and as a national expert to the European Commission. He possesses in-depth knowledge of the research and innovation ecosystem in Denmark, the Nordic Region and Europe.
Mogensen comes from a position as Denmark's research and innovation attaché in Boston.
“The board looks forward to working with the new director. Johnny Mogensen has the leadership experience and the expertise in research and research policy needed to consolidate and develop NordForsk’s position as a key player in research collaboration and funding in the Nordic Region,” says Annika Sølvará, acting chair of the NordForsk board.
Secretary General Karen Ellemann bids Mogensen welcome.
Major social challenges such as environmental and climate change, new technology and societal security and preparedness demonstrate the need for strong and clear Nordic co-operation on research. I look forward to continuing to work on this with Johnny Mogensen and would like to express my sincere thanks to Arne Flåøyen for his solid work in the post. NordForsk is a shining example of the value of Nordic co-operation and plays an important role in making the region a global leader in research
Arne Flåøyen term comes to an end
Mogensen takes over from Arne Flåøyen, who has been the director since January 2018. NordForsk has grown and put itself firmly on the map as a serious and professional platform for Nordic research collaboration, with clear added value and results for national funding bodies and research communities in the Nordic and Baltic countries and internationally – as evidenced by calls for funding applications from projects dealing with the green transition, the Arctic, artificial intelligence, societal security and more.
